Mourning Doves; Winter Bird Feeding

MOURNING DOVES 
(Zenaida macroura) 
 WINTER BACKYARD BIRD FEEDING

 Although millions of Mourning doves migrate South during the winter, many
remain in our area.

Mourning Doves are the most successful wild dove in North America, with a range from Alaska, Canada, Maine and as far south as Panama.

Mourning doves range extends as far south as Panama and the Caribbean    

Although most Mourning doves migrate south during the winter months, many stay in our area where they depend on back yard bird feeders for survival.

Joining other winter birds at feeders Mourning doves help clean the fallen seed
on the ground. 

Mourning doves feed on a vast assortment of seeds including weed seeds which makes it a valuable ally of farmers and gardeners. If you keep your bird feeders stocked Mourning doves will stay close, eating off the ground (gleaning) under feeders which helps keep that area clean.

Mourning doves tracking has proven that theses birds mate for life. 

Snow and ice make it difficult for these birds to scratch up seed, but there are a few things that you can do to help them. During the snowfall sprinkle seed on top to keep food in reach. If possible flatten an area and sprinkle the seed on that area. After a big storm I put cardboard on top of the snow and sprinkle the seed on top of that.

 I feed Mourning doves millet which is their favorite seed and black-oil sunflower seed because it is high in protein, also a favorite.

Mourning doves will utilize a heated birdbath for drinking water if you can provide it.

Water is the hardest resound for wildlife to find during the winter.  

Also known as 'Turtle Doves',Mourning doves are medium size birds around 5 to 6 ounces, with brown pointed wings and tail, white & black markings and a crescent on its neck. Males have blue and pink highlights on the head and around their eyes. The pointed falcon like wings give them the ability to reach reach speeds of 40 to 55 miles per hour.

Once in flight these birds fly fast and straight which makes it a hard target
for hunters to hit. One million are killed every year as a game bird. 

Mourning doves are related to the now extinct

 'Passenger pigions' once used to deliver messages.

Once traveling in flocks a mile long, Passenger Pigeons are now extinct. 

During takeoff Mourning doves flapping wings make a loud whirling sound and their strong feet enable then to push off the ground quickly. The call from the male is a hollow mournful coah, cooo, cooo.

Watching and listening to Mourning doves take flight is always fascinating.

Habitat is open farmlands, towns, roadsides, open grasslands and scrubs. 

I'll provide more information on Mourning Doves mating and raising their young in the spring.

Enjoy your garden all year long, 

James

Thanks to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon Field Guide and Wild Birds Unlimited

for the information in this article.

Wreaths Across America

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY

Saturday,December 14, 2019 
Rahway Cemetery, 8 AM
Meet at Merchants & Drovers Tavern
Saint Georges and Central Ave.

Each December on 'National Wreaths Across America Day', active duty service personal, veterans and thousands of volunteers gather at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad.

A photograph is worth a thousand words. 

Their mission statement, to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at every grave while reciting the name on the grave stone out loud. 

Now Wreaths Across America  takes place the second or third Saturday in December. every year.

This tribute to our veterans and fallen heroes was founded by 'Morrill Worcester' of Harrington, Maine.

Founder Morrill Worester with his wife
Karen Worester, Executive Director 

In 1992 with the endorsement of Senator Olympia Snow and the volunteer services of townspeople, trucking companies and veterans, Mr. Worcester sent hundreds of wreaths to be laid on graves at an older section of Arlington National Cemetery where there were less visitors and soldiers were being forgotten.

There are local memorials at a cemetery near you.
For locations go the the website listed below and put in your zip code.  

This annual tribute went on quietly every year until 2005 when a photograph of snow covered wreaths placed on grave stones circulated the Internet. 

This photograph of snow covered wreath brought
Wreaths Across America to the attention of the American people.  

Two years later in 2007  'Wreaths Across America' became a non-profit 501-C3.

Nowadays ceremonies are held in almost all areas of our nation.   

In 2008, wreaths were laid at 300 locations in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries.

There are volunteer  opportunists listed on the website and donations help with
transportation and other expenses. 

In 2014 700,000 wreaths were placed at over one thousand locations, and this new tradition continues to grow.  

You can watch a video of this ceremony or get more information on the Internet:

www.Wreathsacrossamerica.org